Hi guys, I hope someone can help, although I think this is more a chemistry query!
I have been taking Omeprazole capsules (20mg) for some time, and renewed my script last weekend. The capsules that were dispensed had the gastro resistant tablets inside them (the pharmacist phoned the manufacturer, and apparently they are allowed to do this). This led to me reading the ingredients listing on the PIL, and I noticed that one of the "inactive ingredients" was Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
I have a sensitivity to SLS in toothpaste (causing ulcers), soap (dermatitis) etc, and had noticed that my stomach problems had been flaring up this week. Nothing stressful has happened, no change to diet, nothing I can think of to trigger it until I saw the SLS. I dug out the old PIL from my recycling bag, and SLS was not mentioned. I've not had problems with this med before, but then I don't remember ever having it from this manufacturer before.
What's got me stumped is why would a drug manufacturer put a chemical which is a surfactant (and known irritant) in a proton-pump inhibitor? From what I can understand, SLS is mostly used as a foaming and thickening agent, and I can't understand what benefits it has in pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, the only research I can find online is a dubious link to it being carcenogenic, which has been refuted by the American Cancer Society anyway.
In the meantime, I've got my GP to write me a new script, and I'm going to see if a different pharmacy has a different brand. Of course, I'm aware this could all be coincidental, but the whole thing is intriguing me.
thanks in advance
I have been taking Omeprazole capsules (20mg) for some time, and renewed my script last weekend. The capsules that were dispensed had the gastro resistant tablets inside them (the pharmacist phoned the manufacturer, and apparently they are allowed to do this). This led to me reading the ingredients listing on the PIL, and I noticed that one of the "inactive ingredients" was Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
I have a sensitivity to SLS in toothpaste (causing ulcers), soap (dermatitis) etc, and had noticed that my stomach problems had been flaring up this week. Nothing stressful has happened, no change to diet, nothing I can think of to trigger it until I saw the SLS. I dug out the old PIL from my recycling bag, and SLS was not mentioned. I've not had problems with this med before, but then I don't remember ever having it from this manufacturer before.
What's got me stumped is why would a drug manufacturer put a chemical which is a surfactant (and known irritant) in a proton-pump inhibitor? From what I can understand, SLS is mostly used as a foaming and thickening agent, and I can't understand what benefits it has in pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, the only research I can find online is a dubious link to it being carcenogenic, which has been refuted by the American Cancer Society anyway.
In the meantime, I've got my GP to write me a new script, and I'm going to see if a different pharmacy has a different brand. Of course, I'm aware this could all be coincidental, but the whole thing is intriguing me.
thanks in advance

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